George Gershwin News

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/11/2015.

Continuing to bring exciting stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings a brand new production of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Based on her true life story, writer-performer Ehrhardt's JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's to fulfill her lifelong dream of coming to America. Performances began at Chicago's Royal George Theatre 1641 North Halsted, 60614, on September 8 and continue through Sunday October 11th in a strictly limited engagement. Scroll down for photos from the opening night festivities!

Beth Williams (Grove Entertainment), Barbara Whitman Productions and Hazy Mills Productions are pleased to announce the development of a new play based on the life of the legendary performer Oscar Levant.

Continuing to bring exciting stories and new productions to beloved Chicago audiences, 'Hershey Felder Presents' (George Gershwin Alone, Maestro Bernstein, The Pianist of Willesden Lane, Louis and Keely 'Live' at the Sahara) now brings a brand new production of the award-winning and internationally acclaimed play JAMAICA FAREWELL, written and performed by Debra Ehrhardt and directed by Joel Zwick, to Chicago's Royal George Theatre. Based on her true life story, writer-performer Ehrhardt's JAMAICA FAREWELL chronicles her escape from revolution-torn Jamaica in the 1970's to fulfill her lifelong dream of coming to America. Performances began at Chicago's Royal George Theatre 1641 North Halsted, 60614, last night September 8, and continue through Sunday October 11th in a strictly limited engagement. BroadwayWorld has a first look at Ehrhardt onstage below!

A cast recording of Encores! production of George and Ira Gershwin's LADY, BE GOOD will hit shelves later this fall!

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 9/4/2015.

Great news! The Tony Award-winning new Broadway musical An American in Paris just announced it will perform on THE LATE SHOW WITH STEPHEN COLBERT on Friday, September 18 at 11:35pm ET/10:35pm CT on CBS, marking the first Broadway performance on the new late night show.

The vintage photo appears on sheet music covers for selections from GEORGE WHITE'S SCANDALS OF 1928.

BroadwayWorld.com's SHOW BIZ: Rush, Lottery & Standing Room Only Ticketing Policies - updated on 8/28/2015.

Award-winning NYC-based artist and MPress Records founder Rachael Sage will release the Deluxe Reissue of her latest album 'Blue Roses' via MPress today, August 28th. The album, featuring five new tracks including the new single 'Coloring Book', will be the label's first release through a new distribution deal with Independent Label Services, which is partnered with Caroline Distribution & Universal Music Group.

The woman who popularized The Black Bottom for white audiences is featured in the new production's artwork.

The latest in unauthorized gossip and buzz from the heart of Chicago's showtune video bars, and musical theater news from Chicago to Broadway. Today's fire at The Second City, and last week's Jeff Award nominations! Plus 'Glory Days' and the Refuge Theatre season, new musicals in focus with Schonberg and Boublil, Chicago Children's Theatre and more, Joan Curto, Hershey Felder, 'Bat Boy,' and Theatre At The Center's 2016 season!

The Broadway at Birdland concert series was proud to present Klea Blackhurst in her return to the Birdland stage with EVERYTHING THE TRAFFIC WILL ALLOW, on Monday, August 24. BroadwayWorld has photos from the concert below!

Award-winning NYC-based artist and MPress Records founder Rachael Sage will release the Deluxe Reissue of her latest album 'Blue Roses' via MPress August 28th. The album, featuring five new tracks including the new single 'Coloring Book', will be the label's first release through a new distribution deal with Independent Label Services, which is partnered with Caroline Distribution & Universal Music Group.

Next spring, Audra McDonald, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Billy Porter, Brandon Victor Dixon, and Joshua Henry will star in Shuffle Along Or The Making of the Musical Sensation of 1921 and All That Followed, a striking new production that presents both the 1921 musical itself, and additionally details the events that catalyzed the songwriting team of Noble Sissle and Eubie Blake, and librettists F.E. Miller and Aubrey Lyles to create this ground-breaking work. Check out the just-released artwork for the show below and visit the official website here!

Palm Beach Dramaworks is delighted to announce that Broadway luminaries Paul Gemignani, William Ivey Long, and Tommy Tune will be interviewed live, onstage as part of its popular series, Dramalogue - Talking Theatre! This series of six programs, which explores all aspects of theatre in conversations with or about the industry's top professionals and master artists, will also feature presentations on Eugene O'Neill and Rodgers & Hammerstein, and a roundtable discussion with four directors. 

Jim Caruso's Broadway at Birdland concert series had all the traffic Monday night as Klea Blackhurst brought her hit concert, 'Everything the Traffic Will Allow' to the Birdland stage.This is Blackhurst's loving tribute to the songs made famous by the quintessential stage personality Ethel Merman. Not an impersonator and not an impressionist, Blackhurst offered a paean to the great Broadway legend that serves as a potent and happy reminder of Merman's sheer, undeniable importance to both the history of twentieth century entertainment and the iconic composers like Cole Porter, Irving Berlin, George Gershwin and Jerry Herman, who wrote songs just for her.

Minneapolis, MN -- Kicking off its 2015//16 Dance Season, Northrop at the University of Minnesota presents Ballet West on Sat, Oct 3 at 8:00 pm. The company that starred in the reality television show 'Breaking Pointe' will present a sparkling repertoire accompanied by a full, live orchestra comprised of local musicians.

GR Symphony Musicians Association is excited to partner with long-time colleague in the Grand Rapids arts scene, the Grand Rapids Public Museum, to present this free hour-long concert in the beautiful Meijer Theater.  We are committed now, more than ever, to sharing our love of great music and want to pay tribute to how symphony musicians in Grand Rapids have served the community since 1930.  Past and present musicians of the Grand Rapids Symphony will be featured as soloists, composers, and conductors in this tribute concert.

Hershey Felder is setting up camp on Royal George Theatre's mainstage for a full season of shows starting September 8. The season includes the record-breaking production of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin; a new production of the award-winning, internationally-acclaimed play Jamaica, Farewell, and the Midwest premieres of London import I Found My Horn and audience favorite Baritones Unbound.